Tickets on Sale Now for the 2010 Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend

Eight Butte County Wineries and 19 Farms Offer Tastings and Tours to Trailgoers

CHICO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tickets are now on sale for the 2010 Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend, October 9-10, 2010. Passports for this grand weekend of wine tasting and farm fresh food sampling are now available for purchase online at www.sierraoro.org, at Northern California Tri Counties Bank locations, Bacio Catering and Carryout in Chico, and at the Chico, Oroville and Paradise Chambers of Commerce. The popular annual tour of Butte County agriculture offers something for everyone, from the food and wine connoisseur to the adventurous family. The tour is designed for day-trippers and visitors to the area who are interested in seeing the action behind some of the premiere specialty farms in Northern California.

“Additionally, everyone will have something special taking place at their farm. It’s a great opportunity to meet the farmers and winemakers and maybe even discover something new for your kitchen.”

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 online or during the Passport Weekend, and include a free wine glass and, while supplies last and only available with online orders, a limited-edition Passport Weekend ChicoBag to make shopping on the trail a breeze. All farms and wineries will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days.

“The Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend is unique because all of the farms and wineries on the Sierra Oro Farm Trail map will open their doors on the same weekend,” said Heather Quilici, who co-founded the map with Jamie Johansson of Lodestar Farms. “Additionally, everyone will have something special taking place at their farm. It’s a great opportunity to meet the farmers and winemakers and maybe even discover something new for your kitchen.”

This year, three new members have joined the festivities, including The Worm Farm in Durham, California; Llano Seco Rancho in Chico; and the Butte College Environmental Horticulture Nursery in Oroville.

To bookend this year’s Chico Experience Week, more than half of the members of the Trail will be open to Passport-holders on an additional weekend to give a sneak peek of their regular operations Oct. 16 and 17. A full list of farms participating in the Bonus Passport Weekend can be found in the 2010 passport.

The Sierra Oro Farm Trail Map and Passport Weekend destinations include 19 specialty farms, eight wineries, and two lodging facilities. The easy-to-navigate and user-friendly map also highlights local tourist attractions, historic landmarks, hotels and fine dining. For those who have less experience navigating country back roads, it offers a detailed view of directions to each individual farm.

Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend is sponsored by the Butte County Farm Bureau, Chico Chamber of Commerce and Tri Counties Bank. For more information about the Sierra Oro Farm Trail and Passport Weekend, visit www.sierraoro.org , email [e-mail] or call the Chico Chamber of Commerce at 530-891-5556 (800-852-8570).